Parents in Wisconsin who have children with medical conditions were relieved when they received word a year ago that they could soon find relief for their child in the form of CBD oil after a momentous state law was passed. However, over a year later, the federal status of cannabis is creating hurdles for these parents trying to order medication for their children.
Under federal law, CBD oil is illegal; therefore, an FDA waiver is needed before a doctor can prescribe it to patients. As of yet, no Wisconsin physicians have tried to obtain one and this has led many parents to seek assistance across state lines—regardless of the legal consequences they could face.
Thankfully, this could all change if a tweak to the original bill is approved. The new proposal would make possessing CBD oil legal without a prescription. While this would allow easier access to the medication, opponents say it could also bring added dangers.
Parents (and adult patients who would benefit from CBD oil) are forced to walk a double edged sword. Obtaining CBD oil that has been tested through a clinical trial (one that would be available with a prescription) is impossible to obtain, but purchasing untested CBD oil without a prescription could be potentially dangerous due to its unknown quality.
“The thought was we would have someplace like Froedtert or Children’s or the Medical College do a clinical trial and that would make it available to everybody,” said Sen. Van Wanggaard. “The challenge there is it’s really expensive to do a clinical trial.”
Only time will tell how this story plays out.